Going to the range and shooting at targets the same old way, time and time again can get dull. You might even feel your skill development has plateaued. Start pushing yourself by incorporating a few new rifle drills into your regimen.

My first memories that took me down the path of firearms and shooting came in the 1970s. I remember looking at old gun magazines, specifically Guns and Ammo, all of the time. Most of those magazines were dated from the late 60s through the mid to late 70s. #CollectorItems

As a sworn deputy and later a federal employee, it was incumbent upon those of us carrying firearms to qualify with those weapons, meeting the minimum standard as set by that agency or department.

Technically speaking, you could squeak by your in-service qualification with a barely-passing score. However, to the rest of the team you’d be considered a second-rate schmuck if you didn’t hit close to that perfect score. The boys might let you slide if you were down one or two points, but any more than that was considered pedestrian, and you’d pay the price of choking on a giant mouthful of humble pie.

There are certainly more-qualified people than I to write about the merits of red dots and suppressors for tactical, self -defense and competition applications. I’m really just not all that tactical or competitive. What Ican do is chime in on how much of a blast suppressors can be for anyone who enjoys shooting at any level. #RegularShooter

A few decades ago, law enforcement "specialized units" began the transition from the 9mm subgun to the more-effective .223 / 5.56 weapon systems. My first select-fire 5.56 system was a 16-inch barreled rifle, which transitioned over the years to a few different, shorter 10-to-11.5-inch barreled AR systems.

With Springfield Armory’s recent introduction of their 10mm 1911-style pistols, I’ve been reminiscing about my first encounter with the 10mm cartridge…

Back in the mid-1980s, I remember buying my first 10mm pistol. It was a Colt Delta Elite. As I recall, Colt was one of the only companies that had introduced a "production" 10mm semi-automatic pistol.It wasn’t the first 10mm pistol built, but it was one of the first manufacturers that actually had a production capability that was keeping up with customer demands.

A good day at the range can turn into an awesome day at the range with a little preparation. Packing the essentials, a few extras and having a plan will help you make the most of your time.

Good preparation requires a solid organizational effort. But if you're like us, you may find that your range bag can become cluttered and unorganized. Start each new season by cleaning out your bag. Take everything out and put back only what's necessary - in an organized manner.

I really like to shoot the Springfield Armory® SAINT™ Rifles. The guns have such incredible versatility, are easy to shoot and have a wide array of applications; from competition and hunting, to self-defense, law enforcement and even military.

Springfield Armory® recommends you seek qualified and competent training from a certified instructor prior to handling any firearm and be sure to read your owner’s manual. These articles are considered to be suggestions and not recommendations from Springfield Armory®.